Red Trillium
Trillium erectum
Also listed as Trillium acuminatum
Also known as Wake-robin, Stinking Benjamin, Beth Root
Climate Match for your location
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A woodland wildflower bearing deep red or maroon three-petaled flowers held above whorled leaves in spring. Prefers shaded garden settings and is an excellent choice for native plant gardens and woodland borders.
Why grow it
Red trillium offers a distinctive deep maroon flower color that stands out among spring woodland ephemerals, making it useful for adding visual contrast in shaded native plant compositions. It establishes reliably from rhizomes in appropriate conditions and requires minimal ongoing maintenance once established, unlike many spring bulbs that demand annual chilling or division cycles. Compared to other Trillium species, T. erectum tolerates a wider range of soil moisture and pH conditions, though it prefers consistently moist, humus-rich woodland soils.
Watch out for
Flowering plants take several years to develop from seed, so expect a longer establishment period than with purchased rhizomes. The plants go dormant and disappear entirely after mid-summer, which can leave gaps in garden planning if not accounted for with adjacent perennials or groundcovers. Deer browse the foliage and flowers selectively depending on local population pressure and available food sources, so protection may be necessary in high-pressure areas.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A woodland wildflower bearing deep red or maroon three-petaled flowers held above whorled leaves in spring. Prefers shaded garden settings and is an excellent choice for native plant gardens and woodland borders.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Trillium grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red trillium offers a distinctive deep maroon flower color that stands out among spring woodland ephemerals, making it useful for adding visual contrast in shaded native plant compositions. It establishes reliably from rhizomes in appropriate conditions and requires minimal ongoing maintenance once established, unlike many spring bulbs that demand annual chilling or division cycles. Compared to other Trillium species, T. erectum tolerates a wider range of soil moisture and pH conditions, though it prefers consistently moist, humus-rich woodland soils.
Watch out for
Flowering plants take several years to develop from seed, so expect a longer establishment period than with purchased rhizomes. The plants go dormant and disappear entirely after mid-summer, which can leave gaps in garden planning if not accounted for with adjacent perennials or groundcovers. Deer browse the foliage and flowers selectively depending on local population pressure and available food sources, so protection may be necessary in high-pressure areas.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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